12 Coronavirus Myths You Should Stop Believing

The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the world as it’s the reason that lockdowns are happening in most places around the world. This virus that originated from Wuhan China back in December 2019 has spread like wildfire that attacks the respiratory system.

Some people, usually the ones who are younger and don’t have underlying conditions who have contracted it survived. Some of them were not even that sick other than having what appeared to be a cough and a cold.

However, many people this virus has and can kill are those who are older adults and others that have underlying conditions. And some people may be asymptomatic carriers.

The illness is characterized by a cough, a very high fever, sore throat, and eventually drowning of the lungs which is why many patients that have the virus have to go on ventilators. There are many myths going around the COVID-19 virus which are not true. Let’s go over the 12 myths that are circulating that are untrue.

#12 – COVID-19 Can Be Killed By Hand Dryers

Not true at all according to WHO. The only way to kill the virus is to wash your hands well with soap and water and dry them with a paper towel. In fact, hand dries are filled with bacteria from the bathroom particles that get trapped so it is best to use a paper towel to dry them off.

#11 – Get An Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp Because It Kills The Virus
Even though UV lamps that are used in hospitals can kill off bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces but as the WHO states, it should never be the thing to sterilize skin due to the fact it can cause a lot of serious irritation of the skin.

#10 – Thermal Scanners Can Find People Who Have The Virus

Thermal scanners can find those who have fevers but fevers are caused by the common flu and many infections as well. But because those who have the COVID-19 infection don’t have a fever for about 2 to 10 days, the thermal scanner will not detect anything.

#9 – Spray Chlorine Or Alchohol On Your Body
Yes, spraying chlorine or alcohol on surfaces will keep them disinfected but don’t spray them on your body and clothes. It is harmful to your body as well as clothing, and if you have the virus, it will not help anyway.

#8 – You Cannot Receive Packages From Anywhere Anymore, Especially China
Firstly, China is now over the curve and things have mostly resumed back to normal there. Secondly, receiving packages from other places such as the USA which is the current epicenter is safe. The virus does not live on paper for more than a day. And it may stay on other surfaces up to 3 days, you can either wait to open the package for 3 days or you can disinfect the item inside the package immediately. But saying that it is not safe to receive packages from China only perpetuates stigma and racism which is already happening in some areas.

#7 – You Can Get Coronovirus From Your Dog Or Cat

The WHO has said that dogs and cats cannot pass the virus onto you because there is no evidence of that happening. However, it is always a good practice to wash your hands with soap and water after touching your pets as they can carry other microbes as well.

#6 – You Can Be Protected From COVID-19 From Pneumonia Vaccines
The truth is no you cannot be protected from the Coronavirus from the pneumonia vaccine. It is a different type of virus and there is a vaccine in the making for COVID-19. It is not available yet.

#5 – Rinse Your Nose With Saline As It Will Help Prevent It

Rinsing your nose with a neti pot can help you if you have a cold but not it cannot help with COVID-19 symptoms, let alone preventing the virus from coming on. And if you do decide to rinse your rose with water, be sure it is sterilized as you could end up with infections otherwise that can become fatal.

#4 – You Can Stay Protected By Eating Garlic

Even though garlic has been known to stave of microbes, the WHO makes it clear that there is evidence lacking that garlic prevents you from contracting the Coronavirus.

#3 – Sesame Oil On Your Body Will Prevent You From Catching The Virus
Sesame oil may have some healing properties when it comes to colds and other mild infections as it was a treatment that was practiced in Ayurveda. But there is no evidence to show that it will prevent you from getting COVID-19. Only social distancing and washing your hands with soap and water after going for an essential shopping errand will help you. That in addition to disinfecting surfaces.

#2 – Only Older People Are Affected by COVID-19

As was mentioned in the introduction, older people are at a higher risk category especially if they have underlying conditions. However, anyone regardless of their age that has an underlying condition will be just as affected. And even for young and healthy people, they can still be affected even though it is less likely that the virus will put them in the hospital.

#1 – Antibiotics Will Kill The Virus

Coronavirus is a virus and will not respond to antibiotics like other viruses don’t. Antibiotics kill bacteria. That is a different type of microbe.

Don’t fall for these myths. Just wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry them with a paper towel as well as staying 6 feet away from others will keep your odds very low of catching it. And please stay home unless you have to run an essential errand.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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12 Myths About Coronavirus, According to the World Health Organization

As the novel coronavirus—now known as COVID-19—continues to spread across the globe, so does misinformation surrounding it. While it’s true that there is still a lot to be learned about the incredibly infectious and sometimes deadly disease that originated in Wuhan, China, there are many things we do know about it in terms of how it can and can’t be spread and prevented.

Still, that hasn't stopped myths regarding the coronavirus from circulating. Luckily, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to debunk all of those falsehoods with some pretty helpful graphics. (Knowledge is power, especially when we may be on the brink of a pandemic.) Here's what you need to know about the myths surrounding COVID-19—and what the experts have to say about them.

Myth #1: Hand dryers can kill the new coronavirus
Nope. According to the WHO, hand dryers are not effective in killing the new coronavirus. Instead, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently (or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub), then dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a warm air dryer.

Myth #2: An ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the new coronavirus
So, it's true that some hospitals use UV light to kill microbes on surfaces—like in operating rooms or labs—but, per the WHO, UV lamps should never be used to sterilize hands or skin, as they can cause skin irritation. 

Myth #3: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus
This one's twofold: While thermal scanners can detect fevers (aka, a higher than normal body temperatures) in those infected with the coronavirus, they cannot detect the infection in those who are not yet showing symptoms. "This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever," the WHO explains.

Also important to note: The flu also causes similar symptoms to COVID-19, including a fever—so just because someone has a fever doesn't necessarily mean they've been infected with the new coronavirus.

Myth #4: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill the new coronavirus

While spraying alcohol and chlorine is a great method to disinfect surfaces—and even using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help keep your hands clean—using the chemicals all over your body isn't going to kill the virus if you've already been infected. “Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth),” the WHO points out. 

Myth #5: It isn’t safe to receive a letter or a package from China
This simply isn’t true, according to the WHO. “People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus,” they explain. “From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.”

This type of thinking is also harmful since it only helps perpetuate the stigmatization of specific populations linked to the coronavirus. This stigma—which can force people to hide their illnesses, prevent people from getting health care immediately, and discourage people from following healthy behaviors—can lead to more severe health problems and ongoing transmission, per the WHO.

Myth #6: Pets can spread the new coronavirus

While pets can spread certain forms of coronavirus, the WHO confirms that presently, there is no evidence that your domesticated animals can be infected with or spread the new coronavirus.

"However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets," according to the WHO. “This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.”


Myth #7: Pneumonia vaccines can protect you against the new coronavirus
Currently there is no vaccine to protect you against coronavirus—including pneumonia vaccines, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine. “The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine,” the WHO explains. That said, researchers are trying to develop a vaccine for the new coronavirus ASAP—it just may not be ready in time to battle the current outbreak.

Still, despite the pneumonia vaccines and other flu vaccines not being effective against COVID-19, the WHO still suggests getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses to protect yourself from those specific illnesses.

Myth #8: Regularly rinsing your nose with saline can help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
While regularly rinsing your nose with saline may help you recover more quickly from the common cold, it hasn't been shown to help prevent respiratory infections in general, including coronavirus.

Keep in mind too, when you do rinse your nose with saline to help cold symptoms, make sure the product is sterile. And if you opt for a neti pot, make sure that water has also been sterilized—either distilled water or water that's been boiled and then cooled back down—instead of tap water, which can increase your risk of infection.

Myth #9: Eating garlic can help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
If you've ever eaten a piece of raw garlic, you know that stuff is pungent—but it won't protect you against illness. Despite having some antimicrobial properties, according to the WHO, “there is no evidence” from the current outbreak that the potent herb will protect you from coronavirus.


Myth #10: Slathering yourself in sesame oil can block the new coronavirus from entering the body

We're not entirely sure where this myth come from, but rubbing sesame oil all over your body definitely won't keep the coronavirus away.

Per the WHO, “there are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces," including bleach and chlorine-based disinfectants, ether solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid, and chloroform.”However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose.” In fact, it can even be downright dangerous to put those chemicals on your skin. 

Myth #11:The new coronavirus only affects older people

Unfortunately, people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. However, "older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus,” the WHO points out. 

Myth #12: Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus
Keep in mind that antibiotics do not work against viruses of any kind—only bacteria. So, because the new coronavirus is an actual virus, “antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.”

In fact, there are no specific medications recommended to treat or prevent the new coronavirus at all, per the WHO. "However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care,” the WHO explains, adding that some specific treatments are also under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.

The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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source-health.com

Here Are 13 of the Biggest Myths Surrounding Coronavirus

Myths include that drugs and vaccines exist to treat the virus - they don't.

Hand dryers and UV lamps won't kill the coronavirus, the World Health Organization has said.

Debunking 10 of the biggest myths surrounding the outbreak, the board of top health officials also said eating garlic will not protect you.
While some bogus 'cures' aren't harmful, others are potentially dangerous, like drinking bleach or dousing the body with alcohol spray.

Rumours spread fast on social media, and authorities have tried clamping down on perpetrators.

It comes after a British expert warned that the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories could fuel more cases.
Professor Paul Hunter, of the University of East Anglia's (UEA) Norwich Medical School, said fake news leads to bad advice and people taking 'greater risks' during health crises.

Today the death toll hit 1,363. More than 64,000 cases have been diagnosed around the world.
The WHO revealed the following myths:

1. Hand dryers will not kill the coronavirus   
Hand dryers alone cannot kill coronavirus bacteria.

Rumours have claimed using the hot air from the dryer for 30 seconds will rid any trace of the virus on your hands, China Daily report.

Above all, people should focus on keeping their hands clean.

'To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water,' the WHO said.

'Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.'

2. Ultraviolet lamps cannot sterilise the skin 
Ultraviolet lamps, which pump UV rays into the skin, will not sterilise the skin.

They could, however, cause skin irritation, the WHO warned.

Long term, UV radiation which also comes from the sun can damage the DNA in cells, which in turn may lead to cancer. It's for this reason that tanning beds are advised against.

Hospitals and laboratories often use ultraviolet UV light to kill microbes, but never use it around humans.

3. Eating garlic is not protective
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties, the WHO said.

However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

An online post went viral after claiming a bowl of boiled garlic water can cure the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Facebook has since blocked the post because 'the primary claims in the information are factually inaccurate.'

4. Sesame oil doesn't block coronavirus from entering the body
Sesame oil is a staple in Asian cooking. But that's about all it's good for.

Contrary to rife rumours, rubbing sesame oil onto the skin won't block coronavirus from entering the body.

The WHO said, 'No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus.'

This is because transmission is believed to occur when an infected person sneezes, and droplets land in a person's mouth or nose, or they inhale it from the air.

Close contact with someone infected also raises the risk. According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, spread from person-to-person can happen from six feet apart.

5. Spraying alcohol or chlorine over your body will not get rid of the virus
Once COVID-19 is in your system, spraying substances like alcohol and chlorine on the skin will not be of any use.

It’s currently unclear if a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

But generally, there are some powerful chemical disinfectants that can kill coronaviruses on surfaces, according to the WHO. These include bleach and chlorine-based disinfectants.

They should not to be used on the skin, as this can be dangerous. It is also not recommended to sniff it.

They could be harmful to mucous membranes - the tissue lining the mouth, eyes and organs.

The WHO said: 'Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.'

6. Thermal scanners won't always detect infected people
Thermal scanners are being used worldwide at airports and railway stations. They can detect people with a fever - a temperature higher than normal.

'However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever,' the WHO said.

It takes two to ten days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever. In some people, it's taken 14 days.

Travellers may not be picked up by screening methods. It means they can unknowingly go on to transfer COVID-19 to other people without showing symptoms.

7. Letters or packages from China do not carry coronavirus
It is safe to receive packages from China, the WHO said. Analysis shows coronaviruses do not survive very long on objects - especially flying between countries.

As the world faced the early days of the outbreak, people questioned exactly how COVID-19 spreads and if it can arrive by mail.

There is nothing to suggest this is the case.

8. Pets can't get ill with coronavirus 
COVID-19 is understood to have transferred to humans from an animal at a food market in Wuhan.
However, at present, there is no evidence that pets can be infected by coronavirus.

Chinese nationals have made make-shift face marks for their cats who fear their felines could catch the deadly virus.

And local media report cats and dogs have been thrown from apartment windows to their death in response to bogus claims that the animals carry COVID-19, according to The Sun.

Such measures are unnecessary, the WHO said.

The agency added: 'It is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.'

9. Vaccines against pneumonia won't protect against COVID-19
Vaccines for COVID-19 are still in the making and are unlikely to be finished in time to curb the current outbreak.

Researchers across the world are racing to develop a drug with the WHO support.

The National Institutes of Health in the US, and Baylor University in Waco, Texas, say they are working on a vaccine based on what they know about coronaviruses in general, using information from the SARS outbreak.

But this may take a year or more to develop, according to Pharmaceutical Technology.

Infection specialist Professor Robin Shattock, of Imperial College London, revealed his team plan to begin trials of their experimental jab on animals soon.

Jabs for pneumonia - which can be caused by COVID-19 - will not work. These include pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine.

10. Saline nose spray won't protect you
There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus, the WHO said.

Some evidence suggests the old wives tale can help people recover more quickly from the common cold because cells in the body use the chloride in salt to produce hypochlorous acid (HOCI) which is the active ingredient found in bleach.

But there is nothing supporting the method against other respiratory infections, including the new COVID-19.

11. Gargling mouthwash offers no protection
Mouthwash cannot protect you from infection with the new coronavirus.

Some brands or mouthwash can eliminate certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva in your mouth.

'However, this does not mean they protect you from 2019-nCoV infection,' WHO said.

12. Young people can also get COVID-19
Young people are also at risk of COVID-19, despite patterns showing the elderly are struck more often.

The youngest to be diagnosed is a Chinese baby born on February 2, testing positive just 30 hours after birth, Wuhan state media said.

Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

The family of an eight-month-old baby from Worthing, West Sussex, will find out today if the toddler has coronavirus.

James Adlam has 'all the symptoms' associated with the virus, according to his mother Stephanie Adlam, after being treated for a leg injury by a doctor who was later confirmed to have the virus.

13. Antibiotics will not treat COVID-19
COVID-19 is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. Antibiotics only  work against bacterial infections.

'If you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible,' the WHO said.

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus.  

This isn't uncommon; other coronaviruses such as the common cold also have no 'cure' and sufferers must wait for it to go on its own.

Treatment is given to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should be receiving the best care available, the WHO urged.

Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.  

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement